Clamp for a reverberation unit

ABSTRACT

The clamp is mounted within a reverberation unit so as to hold reverberation springs in place during transportation. The clamp is actuated by pushing an actuator into the unit so as to deflect a leaf spring and bring a channel-shaped holder thereon into restraining position about the reverberation springs. Movement of the actuator out of the unit allows the leaf spring to flatten and the holder to be moved away from the reverberation springs.

v[22] Filed:

United States Patent 1 Figlin et al.

[4 1 Feb. 6, 1973 CLAMP FOR REVERBERATION UNIT [75] Inventors: Murray S.Figlin, Linden; John R. Boenisch, South Plainfield, both of NJ.

[73] Assignee: The Ampeg Company, Inc., Linden,

Jan. 28 1970 [211 App]. No.: 6,368

[ 52] U'.S. Cl. ..333/30 R, 84/D1G. 26, 267/136 [51] Int. Cl ..l'l03 hl/OO [58] Field of Search ..33-3/71, 30; 179/1 .1; 84/DlG.26;267/1.5,136,137,158,160

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,971,276 2/1961 Scarboroughet al ..35/46 R 299,402 5/1884 Keppel ......292/87 2,446,014. 7/1948Larson ..49/17 3,431,516 3/1969 Schafft ..333/7l 2,437,445 3/1948 Stack..84/1.24 3,159,713 12/1964 Laube... ..179/l 3,106,610 10/1963 Young..179/1.6 3,281,724 10/1966 Schafft ..333/30 2,230,836 2/1941 Hammond.l79/1.6 2,768,235 10/1956 Knoblauch ...l79/1.6 3,363,202 1/1968 Meinema..333/30 Primary ExaminerPaul L. Gensler Att0rney-Keny0n & Kenyon ReillyCarr & Chapin [57] ABSTRACT The clamp is mounted within a reverberationunit so as to hold reverberation springs in place during transportation.The clamp is actuated by pushing an actuator into the unit so as todeflect a leaf spring and bring a channel-shaped holder thereon intorestraining position about the reverberation springs. Movement of theactuator out of the unit allows the leaf spring to flatten and theholder to be moved away from the reverberation springs.

14 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEB SL973 3.715676 SHEET 10F 2INVENTORS Mae/ear 5. Fiau Y the desired effect. However, duringtransportation of the reverberation units from place to place as-inshipment of the reverberation units from a point of sale to a customer,these springs have frequently been damaged and have been renderedincapable of proper functioning.

While it has been known to clamp the reverberation springs of areverberation unit for transporting purposes with various types ofdevices, such ascam actu-' ated bars or strips which have rubber blocksthereon for engaging against the springs, the devices have been ofcomplexconstruction. Further, such devices have relied on a number ofcomponents in order to bring about the clamping of the reverberationsprings. Also, in some instances, as these devices have beensubstantially fully enclosed within the housing of the reverberationunit, the clamping position of suchdevices cannot be easily or readilydetermined, in which case the springs can still be damaged-through aneglect to secure the springs with theclamping devices.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to restrain the springsof a'reverberation unit against damaging oscillations.

It is another object of this invention toprovide a spring which isinitially in a flat condition to flex upwardly within the reverberationunit to bring the holder into enveloping relationship with the coilsprings. The holder thus serves to confine the springs to a limitedspace so that large oscillations are avoided when the unit istransported or otherwise moved. In order to release the coil springs,the actuator plate is released from engagement with the stud in theL-shaped slot of the plate so that the actuator plate slides under theforce of the spring outwardly of the stud and the reverberation unit toreturn the spring to a flattened condition. The clamp thus serves toeliminate large oscillations in the reverberation unit coil springs andrestrain the springs in position during transportation.

These andfother objects and advantages of the invention will become moreapparent from the following description and appended claims taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a reverberation unitincorporating a clamp according to the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded cross-sectional end view of thereverberation unit and clamp of FIG. 1 prior to assembly;

FIG.3 illustrates a view similar to FIG. 2 of the clamp in an initialunflexed position with respect to the coil springs of the reverberationunit;

FIG. 4 illustrates the clamp in flexed condition in tion unit; and

clamp for reverberation units which is simple both to make andto-use.

It is another object of the invention to readily distin- I guish aclamping position from a non-clamping position of a clamp for thesprings of a reverberation unit.

It is another object of the invention toactuate a clamp for a'reverberationunit in a simple push-pull manner. r

It is another objectofthis'invention to support the coils of areverberationunit in a manner to prevent FIG. 5 illustrates afragmentary perspective view of a modified clamp according to theinvention in a flexed condition.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the reverberation unit 10 is constructed ofknown construction. For example, the reverberation unit 10 has abox-like housing 11 from which a pair of mounting flanges l2, 13 extendoutwardly. The housing 11 supports a channel-shaped strip 14 therein,for example, in a suspended manner by a plurality of springs 15 at theends of the channeldamagingoscillations and mechanical stresses therein.

Briefly, the invention provides a clamp for a revershaped strip 14. Thechannel-shaped strip 14 carries a driver 16 at one end and a pickup (notshown) at the opposite end which are of known construction. A pair ofhelically-coiled springs 18 are mounted between the driver 16 and pickupin a stressed or tensioned manner.

' The mounting flanges l2, 13 are each provided with a beration'unit inwhichthe coil springs of the unit are clamped against damagingoscillations. The clamp includes a resilient elongated member such as aleaf spring or cable spring which isfixed 'at one end withrespect to thereverberation unit and which carries a.

means at'its opposite end for flexing the member: and

' securing it in a flexed'or buckled condition; The clamp also has aholder mounted onthe leaf spring which is sized to envelop the coilsprings within the reverberation unit. The means for flexing andsecuring the member includes an actuator plate having a handle forpushing the plate longitudinally of the elongated member to flex thesame, and an L-shaped slot which cooperates with a stud secured to amounting plate of thereverberation unit to maintain the member in a.flexed condition.

' The actuator plate is mounted so as to slide relative to the stud andin order to utilize the clamp is initially moved into the reverberationunit. This causes the leaf I to secure the reverberation unit housing 11plurality of holes 19 which serve to facilitate the mounting of thereverberation unit on a mounting plate 20.

bolts 21 which are positioned so as to pass through holes 19 in theflanges l2, 13 of the reverberation unit 10 and cooperate with suitablelocking nuts 22 (FIG. 4) to the mounting plate 20.

Referring to FIG. 1, in order to restrain the springs 18 duringtransportation of the reverberation unit 10 from place to place, a clamp23 is provided. This clamp 23 includes a self-supporting elongatedmember or strip 24, for example, a flexible resilient leaf spring ofmetallic material, which is secured as by rivets 25 at one end to themountingplate 20 outside of and approximately at the mid-point of thereverberation unit housing 11. In addition, the clamp 23 has a channelshaped holder 26, for example formed of metallic material, which issecured or mounted intermediately of the member 24. The holder 26 ismounted so that the flanges 27 thereof extend upwardly from the member24 and are positioned within the plane of the channelshaped strip 14 ofthe reverberation unit 10. The clamp 23 is also provided with a means 28for selectively securing the member 24 in a flexed condition, with theholder 26 disposed in a displaced position in restraining relation tothe springs 18 of the reverberation unit 10. For example, the means 28includes an actuator plate 29 which is secured to the end of the member24 opposite the end fixed to the mounting plate 20. This actuator plate29-is of substantially rectangular configuration with'an L-shapedprofile and includes an upstanding flange 30 which may be provided witha slot 31 and which serves as a handle portion for pushing of the plate29 longitudinally of the axis of the flexible member 24 and toward thereverberation unit housing 11. The plate 29 also has a slot 32 ofsubstantially L- shaped configuration which cooperates with a stud 33secured to the mounting plate 20. The stud 33'extends upwardly throughthe slot 32 in the actuator plate 29 and is. slidably received therein.The slot 32 and stud '33 are dimensioned to maintain the flexible member24 in a flattened condition or a flexed condition with respect to themounting plate 20. In the flattened condition of the member 24, the stud33 is disposed in the forward end of the L-shaped slot 32. In thisposition, the member 24 is held in a slightly flexed or bent shape (FIG.2). In the flexed condition of the member 24, the stud 33 is disposed inthe rear end of the slot 32 within the short leg defined thereby inabutting relation so that the flexible member 24 is held in the flexedposition. As shown, the stud 33 can be formed by a threaded member 34passing into the mounting plate 20 and a washer 35 held against theplate 29 in slidable relation by the threaded member 34.

In order to transport the reverberation unit and restrain the springs 18against oscillations which may be detrimental to the springs 18, thereverberation unit 10 is first disposed over the mounting plate (FIG.2). At this time, the flexible member 24 of the clamp 23 is in asubstantially flattened condition with the holder 26 disposed within theplane of the channel-shaped strip 14 of the reverberation unit 10. Next(FIG. 3), the reverberation unit housing 11 is brought down onto themounting bolts 21 on the mounting plate 20 so that the bolts 21 alignwith the holes 19 in the mounting flanges 12, 13 of the housing 11. Thelocking nuts 22 are then threaded onto the bolts 20 so as to secure thehousing 11 to the mounting plate 20. Thereafter, the actuator plate 29is pushed towards the housing 11, that is, longitudinally of theaxis ofthe flexible member 24. This causes the flexible member 24 to flex, orbuckle, at an "intermediate location so that the channel shaped As theactuator plate 29 slides along the mounting plate 20 to bring the holder26 into position, the stud 33 becomes aligned adjacent the short leg ofthe slot 32. The actuator plate 29 is then moved sidewise so as to bringthe stud 33 within the confines of the short leg of the slot 32. Thestud 33 then abuts the actuator plate 20 within the slot 32 so as tomaintain the flexed condition of the member 24 and the position of theholder 26 (FIG. 4).

In order to release the clamp 23 from restraining relation with respectto the reverberation springs 18, the handle portion 30 of the actuatorplate 29 is grasped and moved so that the stud 33 is aligned with thelonger leg of the slot 32. The elongated member 24 is then movesoutwardly under the stored spring force so that the member 24 flattens.This moves the holder 26 out of position with respect to thereverberation unit springs 18. The reverberation'unit 10 can then beused in this position or removed from the mounting plate 20 entirely ina known manner.

It is noted that the flexible member 24 of the clamp 23 is disposed in aslightly bent or flexed shape when in the flattened position. This isintended to insure that the member 24 is flexed away from the mountingplate 20 upon movement of actuator plate 29 towards the reverberationunit 10. Further, the mounting of the elongated member 24 in thisprestressed condition is brought about by the relative placement of therivets 25 used to secure the member 24 to the mounting plate 20 and thestud 33 with respect to the slot 32 in the actuator plate 29.

Referring to FIG. 5, wherein like references are used to indicate likeparts as above, the clamp 40 can alternatively be constructed with acable-type spring which facilitates bending or routing about a corner.In such a case, the clamp 40 has a flexible cable spring 41 which isdisposed on the mounting plate 20, for example, in an L-shaped patternor other pattern with a bend. The cable spring 41 includes a guide tube42 and a spring wire 43 slidably mounted within the tube 42. The tube 42is fixed to the mounting plate 20 in any suitable manner for a distancefrom a free end outside the reverberation housing 1 1 to a point underthe mounting flange 13 of the housing 11 and extends from the free endto a point adjacent a holder 26 fixed on the spring wire 43 under thechannel shaped strip 14 in the housing 11. The spring wire 43 is fixedat one end remote from the tube 42 as by rivets 25 and carries a knob 44near the opposite end. The knob 44 extends through an L-shaped slot 45in the guide tube 42 so as to be movable longitudinally of the tube 42.

In operation, in order to raise the holder 26, the knob 44 is pushedforwardly in the slot 45. This causes the spring wire 43 to sliderelative to the guide tube 42 and to flex in the region within thehousing 11. The flexing action, as above, brings the holder 26 intorestraining relation with the springs 18. In order to lock the springwire in place, the knob 44 is moved laterally into the short leg of theslot 45. Alternatively, the knob 44 can be locked in place in any othersuitable manner, as is known.

In order to release the cable spring 41, the knob 44 is pulled back tothe initial position in the slot 45. This causes the spring wire 43 tounflex and flatten thereby lowering the holder 26.

The cable-type spring clamp allows bending or routing around corners andthus can be mounted on the mounting plate, as shown, or by beingdisposed on a side wall of a mounting box (not shown) which supports thereverberation unit on a top surface.

It is noted that various materials and shapes can be used for thevarious components of the clamp of the invention. Forexample, theelongated member which is of a self-supporting resilient flexiblematerial may be made of metal plastic materials. Also, the holder may bemade of similar material and may be shaped in any suitable manner so asto restrain the springs of the reverberation unit against detrimentaloscillations. The actuator plate or knob may also be made of variousmaterials such as metal, plastic and the like and of any suitable shape.Alternatively, the flexible member may be provided with a handle insteadof the actuator plate which would cooperate with a slot, for example, anL- shaped slot, in the mounting plate so as to be selectively moved intoone or two positions to hold the elongated member in the flattened andflexed conditions.

The invention thus provides a clamp for a reverberation unit which canbe produced in a simple manner and which can be utilized in a relativelysimple manner. Further, the clamp of the invention insures against thelarge scale oscillations of the coil springs of the reverberation unitswhich have in the past caused damage to the reverberation units.

The invention further provides a clamp which restrains the reverberationcoils of a reverberation unit at their midpoint so as to reduceamplitudes of oscillation and the possibility of damage.

' an opposite end of said member for selectively securing said member ina flexed condition with said holder disposed in a displaced position inrestraining relation to the springs of the reverberation unit.

2. A clamp as set forth in claim 1 wherein said holder is channel-shapedand extends outwardly of said member.

3. A clamp as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means includes anactuatorplate secured to said member, said plate having a handle portionthereon for pushing of said plate'longitudinally of said member forflexing of said member.

4. A clamp as set forth in claim 3 wherein said plate includes anL-shaped slot therein and said means further includes a fixedly mountedstud slidably mounted in said slot for engaging said plate to maintainsaid member in a flexed condition.

5. A clamp as set forth in claim 1 wherein said member includes a guidetube and a spring wire slidably mounted within said tube, said springwire mountin said holder thereon.

6. A c amp for a plurality of springs in a reverberation unit comprisingan elongated strip of self-supporting material, a channel-shaped holdermounted intermediately on said strip, an actuator plate secured to oneend of said strip for movement longitudinally of the axis of said stripto cause flexing of said strip and movement of said holder into adisplaced position in restraining relation to the springs of thereverberation unit.

7. A clamp as set forth in claim 6 wherein said strip is made of metal.

8. In combination with a reverberation unit having at least one springmounted under tension; a clamp comprising a flexible member secured atone end with respect to said unit, a holder mounted intermediately ofsaid member within said unit, and means at the opposite end of saidmember for flexing said member to displace said holder into restrainingrelation with said springs.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 8 which further includes amounting plate mounting said unit and said member thereon and whereinsaid means includes a stud secured to said mounting plate and anactuator plate secured to said member, said plate having an L-shapedslot therein slidably receiving said stud therein whereby movement ofsaid plate towards said unit flexes said member and abutment of saidstud with said slot maintains said member in flexed condition toposition said holder in restraining relation to said springs.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein said holder ischannel shaped.

11. The combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein said member is aleaf spring of metal.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein which furthercomprises a guide tube slidably mounting said member therein betweensaid holder and said means.

13. The combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein said guide tube ismounted in a bent pattern with respect to said unit for guiding saidmember about a bend.

14. The combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein said means includesa knob carried on said member and projecting through an L-shaped slot insaid guide tube, said knob being slidable within said slot .to move saidm'emberbetween a flattened position and a flexed position within saidunit.

1. A clamp for a plurality of springs of a reverberation unit comprisinga flexible self-supporting elongated member adapted to be secured at oneend in fixed relation to the reverberation unit, a holder mountedintermediately of said member, and means at an opposite end of saidmember for selectively securing said member in a flexed condition withsaid holder disposed in a displaced position in restraining relation tothe springs of the reverberation unit.
 1. A clamp for a plurality ofsprings of a reverberation unit comprising a flexible self-supportingelongated member adapted to be secured at one end in fixed relation tothe reverberation unit, a holder mounted intermediately of said member,and means at an opposite end of said member for selectively securingsaid member in a flexed condition with said holder disposed in adisplaced position in restraining relation to the springs of thereverberation unit.
 2. A clamp as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidholder is channel-shaped and extends outwardly of said member.
 3. Aclamp as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means includes an actuatorplate secured to said member, said plate having a handle portion thereonfor pushing of said plate longitudinally of said member for flexing ofsaid member.
 4. A clamp as set forth in claim 3 wherein said plateincludes an L-shaped slot therein and said means further includes afixedly mounted stud slidably mounted in said slot for engaging saidplate to maintain said member in a flexed condition.
 5. A clamp as setforth in claim 1 wherein said member includes a guide tube and a springwire slidably mounted within said tube, said spring wire mounting saidholder thereon.
 6. A clamp for a plurality of springs in a reverberationunit comprising an elongated strip of self-supporting material, achannel-shaped holder mounted intermediately on said strip, an actuatorplate secured to one end of said strip for movement longitudinally ofthe axis of said strip to cause flexing of said strip and movement ofsaid holder into a displaced position in restraining relation to thesprings of the reverberation unit.
 7. A clamp as set forth in claim 6wherein said strip is made of metal.
 8. In combination with areverberation unit having at least one spring mounted under tension; aclamp comprising a flexible member secured at one end with respect tosaid unit, a holder mounted intermediately of said member within saidunit, and means at the opposite end of said member for flexing saidmember to displace said holder into restraining relation with saidsprings.
 9. The combination as set forth in claim 8 which furtherincludes a mounting plate mounting said unit and said member thereon andwherein said means includes a stud secured to said mounting plate and anactuator plate secured to said member, said plate having an L-shapedslot therein slidably receiving said stud therein whereby movement ofsaid plate towards said unit flexes said member and abutment of saidstud with said slot maintains said member in flexed condition toposition said holder in restraining relation to said springs.
 10. Thecombination as set forth in claim 8 wherein said holder is channelshaped.
 11. The combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein said memberis a leaf spring of metal.
 12. The combination as set forth in claim 8wherein which further comprises a guide tube slidably mounting saidmember therein between said holder and said means.
 13. The combinationas set forth in claim 12 wherein said guide tube is mounted in a bentpattern with respect to said unit for guiding said member about a bend.